A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night

Mia sighed, lying down beside him, sideways, her head resting lightly on his chest like in their childhood. There was nothing romantic in it, just warmth and familiarity.

"Come to think of it, Kael. We never talked about the things you faced during my absence, apart from the marriage. So, umm… I heard about the shipyard from Shiera… how did you get such huge money to buy it? Did the Queen give it to you?"

"Nah, it's not like that. One day, Seraphina and I were doing these quests, then we went to the black market and…"

They talked for a while, about his adventures, Nyx, about his moments with princesses, home, and how things had changed.

They talked and talked, as if only those two belonged in that world.

Somewhere between shared laughter and silence, they both drifted into sleep, just that way.

After a while;

Shiera stepped silently around the bend of the tent, pausing when she saw Leiza standing still, gazing toward the entrance flap that rustled gently in the breeze.

Outside the tent, Leiza stood there at the entrance, her arms crossed as she watched Kael and Mia. Both of them slept. Kia normally. Mia lay horizontally, using his chest as her pillow.

"What are you doing?" As Shiera came to her, Leiza gestured with her eyes to see the scenario in the tent, then smiled faintly. "They really have a close bond, right? That Brother and sister pair. Sometimes, I actually feel so jealous just looking at them. I wish I had such a close relationship with my brother. But ugh… my brother acts like he is going to get a disease just by hugging me… What about yours?"

With her gaze on the pair of siblings and tight discomfort in her chest, Shiera replied with a shrug. "We don't talk much. Adam is closer to Melissa. They are twins, after all."

She then turned briskly, her tone shifting to something more formal, more Captain-like. "Let's go. We have things to discuss. The supposed cool-down timer for Nyx's spell will be over today."

"Alright…" Leiza followed her without protest.

Hours later, under a pale morning sky, Kael stood at a distance, watching the others prepare.

The five of them stood in a wide circle, with everyone grabbing each other, following Nyx's orders. As for the vampire, Kael had long kept her in his mindscape, not because she is annoying or something. Well, in one way, she was. It's like earlier, Kael was deeply sexually frustrated, and the vampire Sith was heavily making advances on him. Worrying that he might do something he will regret later on, he sent her into his mindscape. She was currently resting in the tattoo, and he only intended to let her out for the battles, for now.

At its center stood Nyx, transforming into a nine-tailed Wolf King; its black fur, wolf appearance, and even its size remained the same. Only its tails grew more in number, and there was a glowing golden gem appeared on its forehead.

"Are you all prepared? I'm launching the spell." Nyx's voice echoed in their ears.

Everyone nodded in response.

The air shimmered as its golden gem glowed brighter than ever, as its void energy flew from Nyx to others.

And then, with a pulse of blinding light rippling from the center, sand scattered into the air, and the group vanished.

When the light dimmed and the wind settled… they reappeared, no longer surrounded by dunes and dryness.

Instead, they stood at the edge of a grassy valley, directly outside the familiar entrance of the Lavalight Dungeon, a gaping maw of black stone carved into the side of a jagged cliff.

"We made it," Mia whispered, her voice stunned with disbelief. "We made it… hahaha…"

Shiera blinked at the sight of green after endless days of sand. Her eyes lit up in genuine joy, the cool wind brushing against her face.

"We're out…" she laughed, unable to contain herself. "We are finally out of that god damned desert. Hahaha…"

In an unthinking moment, she spun and launched herself at Kael, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Yay!"

Kael froze for a moment.

For a heartbeat, neither moved. Her body pressed against his. As he breathed out, it hit her face, and she raised her head to look at Kael. Their faces were just inches close.

Shiera quickly let go, stepping back, red blooming on her cheeks. "I… I apologize," she stammered, suddenly all formal again, turning her face away.

Kael, flustered but smiling faintly, scratched his head. "Umm… okay?"

The awkward tension hung between them for a moment, then was quickly masked by the others as Leiza pointed at the dungeon and said. "So, are we going with the plan? Trying out the dungeon, again?"

Kael glanced around at the faces that were around: What changed from the last time is his own strength. Not his own per se, but his monster companions' strength. Nyx is no longer a Tier-7. He is now a Tier-8. And there was also Vampire Sith, who is Tier-8 in the daylight and Tier-9 after sunset.

After thinking about it, Kael asked, "Should we until sunset? Sith is stronger in the dark."

To which, Shiera snorted, crossing her arms. She didn't look at him and just looked as if it now become uncomfortable for her to look at him directly. "That's a dungeon, Kael. The time of the day in the outside world has no effect in the dungeon."

Kaek blinked. "Is that so?" He never knew, cuz he was not an adventurer.

"Alright then, let's go." He said with a firm nod.

Orion cracked his knuckles. "We need to take revenge against that damned horse anyway."

The dungeon's interior greeted them like a familiar nightmare. The lava-filled corridors greeted them, but this time, something was different.

There was no skeleton warrior that lunged at them.

The monsters they had fought before, the skeletal warriors, knights, archers, mages, and the Golems, exploding one and the Giant mini-boss… none were revived, despite the fact that it's been like a week since they last attempted.

They advanced smoothly.

Every corridor they passed was clear. The dungeon had not reset.

When they reached the final set of ornate doors, twice their height and marked by ancient runes, everyone paused.

"We are here at the final spot," Shiera said, glancing around.

"I guess there is only one boss here to fight," Orin muttered, tightening his grip on the shield.

Mia looked at Kael. "If the dungeon has not reset, the monster will remember us. You are the one who let us escape. It might target you. So, it's best if you just stay vigilant and don't take any risk."

Leiza added. "Oh, and also, Lord Moonstone, it's best if you summon that vampire?"

Kael nodded with a smile. "Relax, I'll be fine."

He then raised his arm and connected to the mystic tattoo. "Come out, Sith."

With a bright flash of light, the vampire appeared in front of her, glowing in a scarlet aura. "I'm finally free. Master, did you finally need me to warm up your bed? Your body is generating quite an amount of heat. I knew that you won't be able to hold for so long, and…"

Everyone: "…"

Kael sighed, almost feeling like slapping his forehead. "Look where you are, will you? We are in a dungeon."

"Oh?"

It was only then that Sith finally paid attention to her surroundings. Her gaze suddenly fell to the door, her gaze scanning what was inside it. And she became excited, licking her lips. "That's a fine beast out there…"